The Rifles

"We’re going to try and cram as much in as possible as our album is out in two weeks time" state The Rifles as they open the King Tut’s Wah Wah Tent, and what an opening it is.

While music junkies and assiduous cynics will be quick to draw comparisons with similar indie darlings The Cribs, The Libertines and Razorlight, The Rifles still maintain the impression of a band loaded with exuberant passion and an unrivalled ability at presenting themselves as honest and fresh, and as a result they’re immediately likeable.

The band have an unpolished sound to them, they’re not over-produced, they don’t rely on a multitude of effect pedals and they don’t shy away from the understanding that the simplest songs are often the best.

Similarities between The Subways and The Rakes are all fairly obvious but there is an element of early Stereophonics here. The concept of a ‘drinking band’ suits The Rifles well. Although this is nothing particularly original let me remind you that neither is The Arctic Monkeys. In The Rifles case they take an old formula and reproduce it superbly.

The new single ‘She’s got Standards’ is out on Monday, and like most of their material, is an absolute blinder. Blues style riffs reminiscent of the 22-20’s, a cheeky lyrical accompaniment not too dissimilar to The Cribs and a punchy, infectious repertoire of great choruses make The Rifles one of the bands to look out for this summer.

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